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Franklin Townsend, 73

Franklin Garfield Townsend, 73, peacefully passed away November 28, 2012, at Golden Living Center in Broken Bow. Franklin was born Jan. 26, 1939, at Crawford, the first son and fifth child of Frank James and Angie D. (Hack) Townsend. Until he was 9 years old, he attended Crawford Grade School. From the age of 9, Frank lived in several Nebraska communities. In the early 1970s, he moved to Broken Bow, where he met and married Virginia "Ginny" Lee Parish Jan. 27, 1975.For some years, Frank and Ginny lived in Sargent where they had a yard, big enough to have a garden and a dog. Frank loved growing vegetables and plants. He also loved working with wood and ceramics, gifting his creations to many of his friends and family. Both Frank and Ginny worked at the Tumbleweed Café for many years. Frank also shared his woodworking talents while working at Wood Options from 1994 to 2004. Known as "Frankie" by all who knew him, he was an avid Yankees fan. He would be seen sporting a Yankee ball cap and Derek Jeter official jacket, which he wore proudly, professing support of his favorite team. Frank and Ginny loved to travel, be it to Frank's parents in Crawford, the surrounding areas near Fort Robinson, or to Ginny's grandparents in Alma. Their most memorable trips were to Florida, visiting the Parrot Jungle in Miami, the Florida Everglades by airboat, NASA, Cypress Gardens, Epcot and Disney World near Orlando, or just picking up shells on the shores of the Atlantic near Ft. Lauderdale.Ask Frankie what he would like and he would reply "a Pepsi." Throw in cheese curls, peppermint candy, black licorice and chocolate ice cream and he would be forever grateful.Frankie was an honorary member of the Lions Club, The Arc of Custer County and St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Their last home was at Heritage Hall where they celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary. Ginny passed away Feb. 19, 2008.Frank was also preceded in death by his parents, sisters JoAn Frances Townsend in 1938 and Gladys May Townsend in 2011, his brother-in-law, Walter Whited (Hazel), and sister-in-law, Delma Townsend (Jack).He is survived by his older sisters, Goldie (James "Jim") Knoderer of St. Cloud, Florida, and Hazel Whited of Pekin, Ill.; younger sister, Lilly Ann (Ivan) Hermansen of Andalusia, Ala.; younger brothers, Jack of Hemingford and Fred (Charlotte) of Herman. He is also survived by four nieces, Diana, Joyce, Sheila and Debbie; four nephews, Roger, Shon, Freddie and Ronnie; many grand-nieces and nephews; cousins Ronald Aschwege of Crawford, Martha Keane Colburn of Brush, Colo., Russell Hack of Marsland, several beloved second cousins, special friends Rocky and Carol Jones, and a community of friends.Visitation was Sunday, Dec. 2 from 1 to 6 p.m. at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow. Services were Monday, Dec. 3 at 10:30 at Govier Brothers Mortuary with burial in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Broken Bow.Published in Custer County Chief, Dec. 6, 2012